How Protein Boosts a Dancers Performance

Professional athletes often follow rigorous diet plans to ensure they’re getting their nutritional intake just right to achieve their ultimate fitness goals. For dancers, the same routine ensues.

From the demands of rehearsals through to the pressures of performance, dancers live a lifestyle that prioritises looking after their physique, with the rebuilding and reparation of muscle tissue at the core.

This blog will discuss the vital role protein plays in a dancer’s day to day, the key ingredient to reaching the top of their game. We’ll also hear from West End star Olivia Holding who reveals her protein secrets when it comes to her process for award winning performance

Protein For Dancers

One of protein's most notable benefits is its ability to aid our bodies in the muscle repair and recovery process. Dancers continually put their bodies under stress through intense rehearsal and busy performance schedules, it’s crucial that they tend to their muscle fibres where microtears are present.

Having the correct protein intake not only allows dancers to protect their muscles, but also their joints, allowing for increased mobility, stability, and flexibility. Consuming the right amount of protein means dancers can continue to shine through their performances as they’re prevented from falling victim to injury.

Not only is it important to repair muscle damage, but to build a physique that can withstand injury and strengthen with time. The benefit of doing so brings increased abilities as a dancer, executing routines to a higher standard with complex movements. Protein plays a principal role in muscle building, providing dancers with long term results to accelerate their careers

Do Dancers Need Protein Shakes?

As mentioned above, protein plays an important part in the physical wellbeing of dancers. Where the correct intake can be adequately met by a tailored diet, the on the go lifestyle of a dancer can make this hard to maintain.

The renowned lengthy rehearsal and performance hours mean dancers need to sustain a certain amount of energy to perform at their best throughout the day. Introducing on the go protein shakes like HERMOSA’s whey sachets to their diet works to keep blood sugar levels stable during the day. This prevents dancers from experiencing energy crashes that inhibit their ability to put on their best show.

Should I Take Protein Shakes as a Dancer?

If you’re a dedicated dancer, spending a lot of your time in the studio and performing, protein shakes may just be your answer to leveling up your game. It’s undeniable that dance is a competitive industry, so it’s important that you look after yourself as best you can to gain recognition for your talents. By incorporating protein shakes into your diet, you’re ensuring that you hit your protein intake to keep your physical health thriving.

We also recognise that dancers not only need to look fit, but feel it too. Having the confidence in your appearance empowers you to give your best performance, protein is crucial in the production of keratin and collagen, the two key ingredients to healthy hair, skin, and nails. As a dancer, HERMOSA’s range of protein products provide you with the full package to dance your way to the top of the industry.

Do Protein Shakes Help Performance?

Through muscle repair, physique building, energy stabilising, and appearance protecting, protein shakes do a great deal to help to perfect a dancer's performance.

Protein shakes provide a level of convenience to dancers’ lifestyles that can rarely be achieved through a food first approach due to the demands of a dancer's routine. It’s encouraged that dancers stick to a protein rich diet, but the long days spent rehearsing strip time away for dancers to prepare suitable meals.

Protein shakes, therefore, step in to ensure intake is at the correct level to allow dancers to reach their peak performance. It isn’t just protein that fires up a dancer’s performance, as with any physical activity, hydration is paramount.

The benefit of consuming a protein shake is that you’re hydrating your body at the same time, fuelling up and replacing fluids simultaneously, prepping for a groundbreaking performance.

Q&A With olivia

Do you reckon dancers really need protein supplements?

Dancers need protein just as much as any other professional athlete. The vigorous training and repetitive movements that come with performing 8 shows a week, make injury and fatigue inevitable. By feeding the body extra protein supplements it helps with not only prevention, but also recovery.

How often do you have protein shakes?

Personally, I have one or two shakes a day. Firstly in a morning, to give my body the protein it needs to kick start the day and metabolism, this being a powder& milk alternative base. The second either after rehearsal or matinee, before performing and evening show, again to feed the muscles and allow a quick recoup before another intense workout.

Do you sip on a shake during rehearsal or practice, or is there a better time to have one?

Personally, I drink the full shake at once. Everyone is different, but for me, if I sipped it I probably wouldn't finish it. It's also a good way to track calories and protein intake, which are both equally important to dancers/athletes. Finishing a shake, I know I'm both mentally and physically set up.

Have you noticed any difference since you started using protein shakes?

100%. I feel stronger. I can work harder for longer. Also my recovery times from injuries, is so much quicker. My focus is also improved. Being fuelled properly makes a huge difference, and putting the right things in your body is the first step to that.

What advice would you give to dancers looking to improve their recovery and performance?

Get your protein in. For myself, I found it hard to get enough protein in without going outside of my daily calorie intake. Shakes & supplements are the best way to combat this. That being said, it's important to find a the right protein and supplements for you, do your research, don't go with the latest craze or the best offer you find. It's always good to speak to a nutritionalist or someone who knows their stuff. Your needs are always different to the next person!

HERMOSA’s Protein Blends

Now you don’t need to just take our word for it. You’ve heard from the dancing pro that our protein is the ingredient you need to transform your dancing game. At HERMOSA, we know that no one's body is the same, and we all have different needs when it comes to protein intake.

Our diverse range of powders are ready to supply you with the protein hit you need to perform magic on stage. Our 100% natural grass-fed whey protein powders have been curated to ensure you can enjoy your shake, liberating you from grimacing through a lumpy, powdery drink and providing you with a smooth and delicious blend.